The Crucible

Smoke abounded in this sharp, atmospheric production of Arthur Miller’s classic play. The sound was noteworthy when ending scenes with a loud thunderbolt and total darkness, although the multitracked lite-choral soundtrack could have done with fleshing out. Mark the name Louis Livesey-Clare, his performance as John Proctor was fiery and raw, with good diction and a charisma about him that was riveting. Act Two was the most engaging and well-paced, with Anna Fenton-Garvey’s Elizabeth a restrained but emotional presence that made their turbulent relationship believable. A solid production with fine acting, and being staged in a round made it all the more starkly affecting and intimate.

The Basement, 13 November 2015

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